The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-11
Pool Commissioner Fink Says the Law Is O
Good One in Many Respects, but Declares
the Fourth Section Impracticable.
Senator Stanford Says the Enforcement
of that Section Will Result In Ruin.
How the Burlington Equalized Rates in Iowa
Grievances of Theatrical People-Crit-
iciSm of the Law and Commission.
COMMISSIONERS FINK'S VIEWS.
He Fears the Interstate Commerce Law Ma
SwamD the Railroads.

He Fears the Interstate commerce Law May
Swamp the Railroads.
New YORK, April 9.--Commissioner Albert
Fink, of the Trunk-hne Association, to-day
yielded to request from Tribune reporter for
his views Of the probable effect OF the interstate
commerce act He said: There would have
been no difficulty in securing to the public bene-
hcial results from the operation of the inter
state law, if it had not been for the unnecessary
insertion of Section in such language as to give
rise to different interpretations. 1t is impossi-
BILE adapt the tariffs of this country to strict
long and short haul rule While it may be ap-
piled to many roads. and has been practically in
use for many years upon the trunk lines and
their Western connections, it is impossible to
apply it to roads which run through thinly,set-
tied country, such as the Southern and transcou-
tinsntal systems of roads, without either bank
rupting the roads, if they comply with the
rule, or. the other hand, obstruct-
ing the commerce If they withdraw
from competition, and operate the
roads as mere local roads. 1t seems strange
that law should pass Congress which interferes
with the natural competition between railways
and waterways, when competition IS considered
by the public Of the most important
factors in the transportation business. 1t WAS
great mistake to make arbitrary rule of that
sort, which is opposed to the commercial inter
ests of the country. If the power of suspending
this rule is lodged in the commission, as some
interpret the law, it is possible to deal with each
individual case in which it is just and proper
that the rule should be suspended. Sections j,
-.
and unreasonable rates, we'll as unjust dis
elimination against individuals or to localities.
This is all that be required, and if these
principles are violated by the railroad companies
a method is provided for correction and punish
ment. and all abuses heretofore existing could
be gradually corrected. The people fully
protected under these three sections Of the law.
Only those cases would have to 90 before the
commission in which some parties felt them
selves injured, while under the interpre-
tation given to Section the commits
soners would have 10 examine each in
dividual case occurring on about one
hundred and thirty thousand miles of railroad
and decide whether the tariff is just aud
able or Eot This Is an imposs:bility. The law
is, therefore, impracticable of execution under
that construction, and would cause great deal
more injustice than the injustice 1t was intended
to correct. l think the decision made by the
commission was wise on, in giving relief to
roads which could not have complied with the
long and short haul rule. The commission had
to choose between bankrupting whole sys-
tenn of railroads, and running the commerce of
that section of the country which is now prop
erly and satisfactorily served under the existing
tariffs. Its decision is temporary. until such
time as it can further investigate the subject,
and the suspension of the rule does not prevent
those parties who feel aggrieved from applying to
the commission for relief. The commission ex-
ercised wise discretion and prevented very in
furious effects which otherwise would have fol
lowed. and which would have made the law OBJ
noxious. l think the law is an excellent one il
many respects, if it is applied to correct abuses
without creating new and greater ones, and this
depends in great measure upon the commits
sion, which has given evidence Of its good judg
ment by its first decision